A drug company expense: campaign contributions

On Jan. 8 The Morning Call reported on a meeting Pennsylvania's junior senator, Rick Santorum, held with local senior citizens.

The article reported that Santorum said drugs are more expensive in the United States than many other countries because American consumers foot the bill for drug research and development.

I want to know if Sen. Santorum thinks that part of the expense of bringing new, life-saving drugs to market includes the $9,000 in political action committee funds he received for his 2000 election campaign from Eli Lilly & Co. or the $16,000 he received from GlaxoSmithKline.

In total, 20 drug company PACs contributed at least $1,000 each to Santorum's re-election bid.

Sen. Santorum and all public servants should talk more openly about the role of money in government. All those interested in campaign finance should visit www.opensecrets.org.